Radioreceptor assay for benzodiazepines in saliva

Abstract

A radioreceptor assay for benzodiazepines in saliva which comprises measuring the diminution of attachment of a known quantity of radio labeled benzodiazepine to a receptor carrier in the presence of an unknown quantity of unlabeled benzodiazepine in a known amount of human saliva. Benzodiazepines are selected from the following oft-utilized drugs which are also representative types of benzodiazepine; namely, diazepam (Valium), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), nitrazepam (Benzalin), oxazepam (Serax), flurazepam (Dalmane), and clorazepate. Competitive receptors suitable for the present benzodiazepine radioreceptor assay are from fresh rat frontal cortex. Utilizable receptors are whole brain cortex, human cortex, and striatum.

I claim: 
     
       1. In a radioreceptor assay for benzodiazepine in saliva which comprises measuring the diminution of attachment of a known quantity of radiolabeled benzodiazepine to a receptor carrier in the presence of an unknown quantity of unlabeled benzodiazepine in a known amount of human saliva, the improvement wherein (1) the saliva is centrifuged to separate mucous sediment and serous supernatant;   (2) the serous supernatant is diluted and incubated with radiolabeled benzodiazepine and receptor carrier at 0° C. for about 45 minutes, wherein the receptor carrier is fresh brain cortex or striatum homogenized and formed into a pellet.   
     
     
       2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the unlabeled benzodiazepine is diazepam. 
     
     
       3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the unlabeled benzodiazepine is chlordiazepoxide. 
     
     
       4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the unlabeled benzodiazepine is nitrazepam. 
     
     
       5. The method according to claim 1 wherein the unlabeled benzodiazepine is oxazepam. 
     
     
       6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the radio labeling is by  3  H.